Make the most of a weekend in Bristol

From fine dining and shopping sprees, to trampolines and exotic animals, Bristol has something for everyone.

Food, fun and culture – Bristol has it all. Bristol had a great year last year, it was crowned the European Green Capital 2015, the only UK city ever to hold the title. If you’re thinking of a weekend break in Bristol, here are our top picks for what to do:

Get Foodie: New Restaurants

Foodies won’t be disappointed in Bristol. For fine dining, Michelin-starred restaurant Casamia moved from Westbury-on-Trym to a new spot in central Bristol in January 2016. This family-run restaurant has caused quite a storm, and with their new venue, the crowds are flocking. For casual food, The Ox on Whiteladies Road in Clifton is a new restaurant which looks set to become very popular, and Pinkmans bakery on Park Street is a cool, relaxed lunch and dinner venue. For ice cream, gelato bar Swoon opened on College Green this year and its delicious authentic gelato is freshly made every day on the premises, you’ll feel like you’re in Italy.

Play Sleeping Lions: Bristol Zoo Gardens

Lover of animals? This is for you. Bristol Zoo Gardens is the world’s fifth oldest zoo (it opened in 1836) and opened a brand new accommodation experience last year. Yes, that’s right – sleeping with the animals. The Lodge at Bristol Zoo Gardens offers the luxury of a secluded safari lodge where you can enjoy exclusive out-of-hours access to the zoo and behind-the-scenes tours and feeding experiences. This means getting the chance to meet the animals when all the daytime visitors have gone home! What’s more, it’s a foodie experience – a private chef will prepare a four-course dinner, served on the balcony in this special setting, then breakfast the next day to be eaten among the resident gorillas.

Get High: AirHop Bristol

Great for all the family, AirHop is the world’s biggest trampoline park, which opened near The Mall at Cribbs Causeway last year. There’s nothing like it in the UK – AirHop is one of the first trampoline parks in the UK and is a vast indoor arena filled with wall-to-wall trampolines! There are more than 50 interconnected trampolines, as well as Basketball Slam Dunk Lanes and trampoline Dodgeball. Time to get bouncing.

Take it Easy: The Flyer

Head for the leafy hills of Bishopston this spring and tuck into the excellent pub classics menu at The Flyer, Bristol. A relaxing retreat for city-dwellers and a cosy local for the people of Bristol, The Flyer has undergone a thorough refurbishment that makes it the ‘go to’ venue. Now boasting an outdoor bar for enjoying those jugs of summer Pimm’s, a fresh lick of paint and a revamped menu of seasonal ingredients and all-time pub favourites. Pop-in for the mid-week set menu, chill out over brunch every Saturday or treat yourself to a legendary Sunday roast.

Go Shopping: Bristol Shopping Quarter

If a spending spree is high on your agenda, Bristol is a great destination. It's perfect for shoppers looking for high street fashion and designer brands. For more mainstream shops, The Bristol Shopping Quarter in the heart of the city has hundreds on offer, including Harvey Nichols and Topshop, as well as a great cinema and varied dining options. However, if you want something more bespoke, there are also great independent shopping areas like Park Street, Clifton Village, The Christmas Steps and Gloucester Road, which are fantastic for one-of-a-kind purchases.

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Published by ibis - 28/05/2018

Photos credits : travelwitness